CHESHIRE Constabulary is 'under threat' and could be merged with a neighbouring force.

Chief constable Peter Fahy and the county's police authority made these comments following a report from HM Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O'Connor, about the future of policing nationally.

Mr O'Connor says the present 43 separate police forces in England and Wales are not fully equipped to deal with issues like terrorism, serious crime and major incidents.

He suggests a minimum size for forces should be about 4,000 officers. Currently, only seven forces have more.

Cheshire Constabulary has 2,214 officers and is 22nd largest.

County police have just been through a major change aimed at strengthening neighbourhood policing and say this stronger accountability and identity must be the foundation of any national change.

Both the authority and constabulary say it is critical that people and community leaders have greater influence over the way policing is delivered in their area, while also being protected against crime and terrorism.

Authority chairman Peter Nurse said: 'We will mount a strong case that the policing of our communities should not be decided and governed from Liverpool or Manchester, although we will be prepared to discuss with other police authorities the use of joint arrangements to tackle terrorism and serious crime.'

And Mr Fahy said: 'Clearly, the continued existence of Cheshire Constabulary as a separate organisation is now under threat.

'I am in full agreement that policing needs to change if we are to meet the changing nature of crime and the expectations of the public.

'What is clear is that merely changing structures and creating bigger organisations will not, on its own, create public satisfaction.'

Home Secretary Charles Clark is consulting on the way forward over the next few months.

During this time, the police authority says it will work with the force and residents to develop a 'robust vision' of the future of policing in the county.